Delta, British Columbia

Delta is a district municipality in British Columbia, Canada. Located south of Vancouver, it is bordered by the Fraser River to the north, the United States (Point Roberts, Washington) to the south and the city of Surrey to the east. Delta is composed of three distinct communities: Ladner, Tsawwassen and North Delta . Population (2003 Estimate): 100,571

History

Prior to European settlement, Delta's flatlands and coastal shores were inhabited by the Tsawassen Indians, a band of the Coast Salish tribe. The first European settlers were Thomas and William Ladner, who began farming the area in 1868. Farming and fishing helped the community grow quickly over the next few decades.

The completion of the George Massey Tunnel in 1959 linking Ladner to Richmond and Vancouver ended Delta's isolation and resulted in a massive 400% population growth over the next 20 years. The 1989 completion of the Alex Fraser Bridge connecting North Delta to New Westminster and Vancouver and helped Delta to grow.

Geography and land use

Total area: 183.78 km² Delta is located 27 km south of Vancouver and 22km north of the U.S. border at White Rock. It is bordered by water on three sides: The Fraser River to the north, the Georgia Straight to the west and Boundary Bay to the south.

Delta is the second-largest municipality in the GVRD; the largest, and only by a small margin, goes to its neighbour to the east, Surrey.

Delta's flat, fertile land has made it one of the most important agricultural areas in Greater Vancouver. North Delta is also home to the Burns Bog , 10,000 acres (40 km²) of natural wetlands that are important for wildlife.

Population and people

Delta's population is approximately 100,000. About 23% of Delta's population are visible minorities, of which there are approximately 12,000 South Asians and 5,400 Chinese-Canadians. There are also about 1,400 Aboriginal peoples, most from the Tsawwassen Indian band, who still hold traditional lands on the Tsawwassen Indian Reserve.

Communities

Delta is unique in that it comprises three distinct, geographically separate communities:

• North Delta (pop: 52,000) is home to over half of Delta's population. It is a largely suburban area in north-east Delta bordered by the Burns Bog and Surrey.

• Ladner (pop: 25,000) is a 19th century fishing village in north-west Delta that is has managed to preserve its village feel, while expanding outwards into the suburb it has now become. Fishing and farming are important industries. Ladner Trunk Road is its main street.

• Tsawwassen (pop:25,000) is a suburban community in south-west Delta that calls itself the sunniest place in Greater Vancouver. Luxury waterfront homes line Tsawwassen's coast. Tsawwassen is also home to the busy Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal which links the mainland to Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. The unique town of Point Roberts sits on a peninsula attached to Tsawwassen (south of 49th parallel north) and actually belongs to Whatcom County, Washington. It is accessible by the Tsawwassen/Point Roberts border crossing at the foot of 56th Street, the main artery through the community.

Government and politics

Delta is governed by the Delta Municipal Council, led by a Mayor and six Councillors. They are elected for three-year terms, the last elections being held in November 2002. The current mayor is Lois Jackson .

In the British Columbia Legislative Assembly, Delta's two seats are both held by the British Columbia Liberal Party.

In the Canadian House of Commons, Delta's two seats are both held by the Conservative Party of Canada.

Power Supply

Near Delta, British Columbia is the Arnott Substation (ART) the mainland terminal of the HVDC Vancouver Island

Transportation

• Public transportation in Delta is provided by the Translink bus system. There is no rapid transit system in Delta, though the Skytrain system in Surrey comes within three kilometres of the city's borders.

• Delta is a major transportation hub for the Lower Mainland. Nearly every vehicle leaving Vancouver for either Vancouver Island, the BC Interior, or the United States has to pass through Delta's borders at some point.

• Highway 99 links Vancouver to Delta via the George Massey Tunnel , built in 1959. North Delta is linked to Vancouver by Highway 91 and the massive Alex Fraser Bridge (opened in 1986). Delta is linked to Surrey, Langley, and all points eastward by Highway 10.

• Highway 17 in Delta provides a connection to the Tsawwassen B.C. Ferry terminal, which provides car ferry connections to Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.

• River Road is also another very important connector through the municipality. River Road starts in Surrey and heads westbound through North Delta , under the Alex Fraser Bridge, north of Burns Bog , and then terminates at Highway 99, where it becomes Highway 17. River Road is a very important trucking route through the area, and is soon going to be a part of the "South Perimeter Road" project, hooking up the BC Ferry Terminal and Roberts Bank Superport in Tsawwassen with all points east.

• Like River Road, the western communities of "South Delta" (Ladner and Tsawwassen) are linked to North Delta and communities to the east by Ladner Trunk Road; travelled far enough east, the road becomes Highway 10.

• 56th Street is another major artery in the community, bisecting the Tsawwassen region; it is the only road leading into the community of Point Roberts, south of the Canadian/American border.

• Delta is also home to the Boundary Bay Airport, a small airstrip for private aircraft and flying lessons.

References

• BC Stats. (2003) British Columbia Municipal Population Estimates 1996–2003

• Delta Chamber of Commerce [1]

• Corporation of Delta [2]